A new version of M-Net will be added to the DStv Premium bouquet from 1 June: M-Net Plus 1, on Channel 901.
It's an exact replica of M-Net, except that everything on it will air an hour later to cater to people whose lives happen an hour later.
According to M-Net's Director of Channels Jan du Plessis, the channel's been created to cater to viewers who don't have PVRs and who can only start watching TV later e.g. parents with young children.
It's a strange yet interesting decision by MultiChoice because it's a big move that's never been done by a South African network before which suggests that there's a substantial need for it. First impressions suggest that it's unecessary but clearly they've identified that it's important enough to launch a whole new channel.
It indicates that they're giving due consideration to Premium viewers who don't have PVRs, which is a good thing because it means that they aren't trying to bulldoze everyone into getting a PVR.
The addition of the channel means that the channel numbers of the DMX audio and radio stations are going to change.
The audio channels will move from 800 to channel 750 onwards and radio channels from 900 to channel 800 onwards.
For a listing of the new channel numbers, please see:
Full list of DStv audio and radio channel numbers (June 2016)